Osteoporosis is a disease which is characterized by a severe loss in both mass and density of the bone. Unlike most other health problems, osteoporosis does not cause any pain or any other symptom. Having a fractured bone is usually a telltale sign of the presence of the debilitating disease.
The only way to determine whether or not osteoporosis is present is by means of what’s known as bone density test. Unfortunately, it’s something that is usually not done until old age or after menopause in women. So in other words, it can be very hard to tell if you have osteoporosis unless you undergo the said bone density test.
Worried that you may wind up with osteoporosis sometime in the future? Well, you may start looking for clues that you may actually be on your way to having weak and brittle bones. Although they could mean anything else, the following may give hints that you may be at risk of having osteoporosis one day:
Fragile Fingernails
Medical doctors have observed that people with osteoporosis have weak and brittle nails, too. So if your nails tend to break quite easily, then it’s likely that you may already be suffering from osteoporosis. However, do take note that it’s a different story if your nails are fragile due to lots of manual work and exposure to harsh chemicals.
Weakened Grip
Does it seem like you are no longer able to grip as strongly as you once did? Then you may be on your way to having osteoporosis because it could indicate poor overall mineral density of the bone. A weakened grip also usually indicates decreased muscle strength, which commonly goes hand in hand with osteoporosis.
Reduction in Height
Although having poor posture can make you seem shorter in stature, having osteoporosis can actually cause a reduction in height. This does not mean right away, however, that you are losing bone density, but it’s an indicator of the weakening of the muscles that support the spine. Again, loss of muscle strength is often associated with osteoporosis.
Frequent Muscle Cramps
There are a number of reasons why cramps strike, and one of them is a decrease in the levels of calcium and a bunch of other minerals in your body. Especially if you are regularly bugged by muscle cramps at night, you may be at risk of osteoporosis. Experts usually recommend calcium supplementation to those who experience it.
Receding Gums
Because your gums are right next to your jaw bone, they can be greatly affected when you experience bone loss. It’s true that receding gums can be attributed to a number of dental problems, but it’s something that can also be due to osteoporosis. Your trusted dentist is the one who can shed light on your receding gums.
Cigarette Smoking
It’s no secret that there are lots of health problems that can stem from cigarette smoking, from lung cancer to heart disease. Did you know that smoking can also put you at high risk of osteoporosis? It’s for the fact that cigarette smoking can wreak havoc to your hormones, which can then cause the weakening of your bones.
Lack of Physical Activity
One of the best ways to ward off osteoporosis is having your regular dose of exercise. That is why leading a sedentary lifestyle can be very bad for your bones. Being inactive also keeps you from getting enough sun, which deprives your body of vitamin D, a nutrient that works together with calcium in making your bones strong.
Unwanted Pounds
There are many health nightmares associated with being overweight, and one of them is osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown that excess fat can collect in various places of the body, including the bone marrow where the production of new bone cells takes place. Slimming down can help ward off osteoporosis and so many other diseases.
